What can a college student do to make themselves more marketable in the Criminal justice Field?

#1 Keep you nose clean

#2 Get a degree in anything but criminal justice

#3 See #1

Go into banking, politics, or anything but CJ!

Edit your communications in cyberspace to represent yourself well as to your maturity, education level and your attention to detail.

Example: It's  "a college student." Not "an college student." As in "a suspect" rather than "an Suspect.  It's "what's", not "whats" and so on.  If you are titling your writing, capitalize properly.  Stuff like that.

That way prospective employers who glean through hundreds of applicants looking for someone who can write a report may take you seriously.

Everyone and their cousin has a BS/BA Degree. Here is my advice. Get a BS/BA Degree in Criminal Justice and then pursue a masters in Public Administration. With a masters you will outshine many applicants and also if you grow tired of law enforcment the majority of City Admiinistrators/Managers have a master in Public Administration. What is your age?What is your level of education at this time?What college are you attending?

Dear Ballonbubbles..I saw your post when you first submitted it but allowed others to submit advice first,as I knew what they would say.No.it makes no difference which college you are attending.John Jay is the best,but that's beside the point.Quite simply the previous posts are ALL on the money.I am a retired officer and Deputy Sheriff,twenty seven years.This was quite some time ago.When I first came on the job,(large Dept,),there were only five of us with a C,J, degree.By the time I retired approx 94% had C.J. degrees.Quite simply stated,ergo,the supply is MUCH greater than the demand.It has been this way for at least a decade.

Uncle Dennis has it precisely correct.Get a degree in whatever interests you but strive for a Masters in Public Administration.If you wish to research many of the major and/or advanced law enforcement agencies in the country you will find you are required to have a Masters in  Public Administration if you wish to attain any rank higher than Captain.--Much good fortune in your future endeavors.....Rev. Dave

Get out and apply and make sure you have no major debt and the debt you have, student loans or the such is being paid on time and your credit score is maintained in an above board status.  I would look at continuing your education and pursuing graduate hours and course work.  Try to specialize in your graduate degree program as was said by Uncle Dennis.  Good advice on this site, so best of luck...

ballonbubbles says ...

 I'm a junior at Michigan State University. Although my primary major is criminal Justice major I have a double major in Sociology and is highly considering a minor. Im trying to take an diverse course load as possible such as psychology courses and human development. I do plan on going to School but for what I honestly don't know. It's very discouraging to realize that so many law enforcement professionals see my degree as a waste of time. But ycue advice have been more then helpful. 

Perhaps not as a waste of time, but encouraging you to specialize more or seek something that will give you a larger market with a broader pay scale. The degree will get you in a door and will open you up for promotion opportunities, but a specialized area will put you out ahead of many of your peers that are seeking promotions to sergeant, LT or higher. Any management specialty will enable you to jump ahead of the pack. I believe that is the direction we are encouraging you to consider. Positions are competative and are not just handed out in this modern and technical age of LE...

 Thanks Guys for the advice. You all are way more helpful then my academic advisors. What do you think bout a minor in Digital humanities, human development, or bioethics?

ballonbubbles.  I was not trying to talk down a CJ degree in my post.  Just, like others have said, there are other degrees that could be a better career choice.